INSERT INTO multiple rows in SQL

Introduction

We use INSERT INTO multiple rows to add many new records to a table in one simple step. This saves time and keeps the data organized.

When adding several new customers to a customer list at once.

When entering multiple new products into an inventory database.

When recording several new orders in a sales system at the same time.

When importing a batch of new employee records into a staff table.

Syntax

SQL

INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, column3) VALUES
  (value1a, value2a, value3a),
  (value1b, value2b, value3b),
  (value1c, value2c, value3c);

Each set of values inside parentheses represents one new row to add.

Separate each row with a comma, and end the statement with a semicolon.

Examples

Adds three new students with their names and ages in one command.

SQL

INSERT INTO students (name, age) VALUES
  ('Alice', 20),
  ('Bob', 22),
  ('Charlie', 19);

Inserts two new products with their price and stock quantity.

SQL

INSERT INTO products (product_name, price, stock) VALUES
  ('Pen', 1.5, 100),
  ('Notebook', 3.0, 50);

Sample Program

This creates an employees table, adds three employees at once, then shows all employees.

SQL

CREATE TABLE employees (
  id INT PRIMARY KEY,
  name VARCHAR(50),
  department VARCHAR(50)
);

INSERT INTO employees (id, name, department) VALUES
  (1, 'John Doe', 'Sales'),
  (2, 'Jane Smith', 'Marketing'),
  (3, 'Emily Davis', 'HR');

SELECT * FROM employees;

Important Notes

Make sure the order of values matches the order of columns listed.

All rows must have the same number of values.

Use single quotes for text values.

Summary

INSERT INTO multiple rows lets you add many records in one command.

List columns once, then provide multiple sets of values separated by commas.

This method is faster and cleaner than inserting rows one by one.

Practice

1. What does the SQL statement INSERT INTO table_name (col1, col2) VALUES (1, 'A'), (2, 'B'); do?

easy

A. Deletes rows where col1 is 1 or 2.

B. Updates existing rows with new values.

C. Inserts two new rows into the table with specified values.

D. Creates a new table named table_name.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the INSERT INTO syntax

   The statement specifies columns and multiple sets of values separated by commas.

2. Step 2: Recognize the effect of multiple value sets

   Each set of values adds one new row to the table.

3. Final Answer:

   Inserts two new rows into the table with specified values. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Multiple VALUES sets = multiple rows inserted [OK]

Hint: Multiple VALUES sets add multiple rows at once [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it updates rows instead of inserting
• Confusing INSERT with DELETE or UPDATE
• Believing it creates a new table

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to insert multiple rows into a table named students with columns id and name?

easy

A. INSERT INTO students (id, name) SET (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob');

B. INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob');

C. INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice') AND (2, 'Bob');

D. INSERT INTO students VALUES (1, 'Alice'); (2, 'Bob');

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the correct use of VALUES keyword

   VALUES keyword must be followed by multiple sets of values separated by commas.

2. Step 2: Identify correct punctuation and keywords

   INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob'); uses commas correctly and no extra keywords like AND or SET.

3. Final Answer:

   INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob'); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   VALUES + comma-separated tuples = correct syntax [OK]

Hint: Use VALUES with comma-separated rows, no AND or SET [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using semicolons between value sets
• Using AND instead of commas
• Using SET keyword incorrectly

3. Given the table products(id INT, name VARCHAR(20)), what will be the result of this query?

INSERT INTO products (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Pen'), (2, 'Pencil'), (3, 'Eraser');
SELECT * FROM products;

medium

A. No rows will be added because SELECT does not insert data.

B. Only one row with id 3 and name Eraser will be added.

C. The query will cause a syntax error.

D. Three new rows with ids 1, 2, 3 and names Pen, Pencil, Eraser will be added.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the INSERT statement

   The INSERT adds three rows with given ids and names in one command.

2. Step 2: Understand the SELECT statement

   SELECT * FROM products will show all rows including the newly inserted ones.

3. Final Answer:

   Three new rows with ids 1, 2, 3 and names Pen, Pencil, Eraser will be added. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Multiple VALUES sets insert multiple rows [OK]

Hint: INSERT adds all rows; SELECT shows them all [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking only last row inserts
• Confusing SELECT with INSERT
• Expecting syntax error due to multiple rows

4. Identify the error in this SQL statement:

INSERT INTO employees (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John'); (2, 'Jane');

medium

A. Using semicolon between value sets causes syntax error.

B. Missing column names in the statement.

C. VALUES keyword is missing.

D. Using single quotes around names is invalid.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check punctuation between value sets

   Multiple rows must be separated by commas, not semicolons.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct use of VALUES and quotes

   VALUES keyword is present and single quotes for strings are correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Using semicolon between value sets causes syntax error. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use commas, not semicolons, between multiple VALUES [OK]

Hint: Separate multiple rows with commas, not semicolons [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using semicolons instead of commas
• Omitting column list when required
• Misusing quotes around strings

5. You want to insert multiple rows into a table orders(order_id, product, quantity) but only have values for product and quantity. Which query correctly inserts three rows with products and quantities, letting order_id auto-increment?

hard

A. INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3);

B. INSERT INTO orders VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3);

C. INSERT INTO orders (order_id, product, quantity) VALUES (NULL, 'Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3);

D. INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2); ('Pen', 5); ('Notebook', 3);

Solution

1. Step 1: Use column list excluding auto-increment column

   Specify only product and quantity columns to let order_id auto-fill.

2. Step 2: Provide multiple value sets separated by commas

   INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3); correctly uses VALUES with comma-separated tuples.

3. Final Answer:

   INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Omit auto-increment column, list others, use commas [OK]

Hint: List columns except auto-increment, separate rows with commas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting column list when not providing all columns
• Using semicolons between rows
• Inserting NULL explicitly for auto-increment column